Yellow fever in Liberia - update

4 March 2004

As of 3 March 2004, a total of 33 suspected cases including 8 deaths, were reported to WHO from five counties. Of the total cases, 2 from Bong county and 2 from Nimba county were laboratory confirmed by Institut Pasteur Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

The first emergency mass immunization campaign started on 26 February 2004 in Bong county, targetting camps for Internally Displaced People (IDP). As of 1 March 2004, 42% of the target population (72 000) have been immunized.

Additional emergency mass immunization campaigns are planned to start in the next few weeks in Nimba county.

WHO, UNICEF and NGOs operating in Liberia are supporting the Ministry of Health in the implementation of the campaigns.